Plot

A documentary about internationally renowned film editor Jill Bilcock, that charts how an outspoken arts student in 1960s Melbourne became one of the world's most acclaimed film artists.

Jill Bilcock: Dancing The Invisible focuses on the life and work of one of the world's leading film artists, Academy Award nominated film editor Jill Bilcock. Iconic Australian films Strictly Ballroom, Muriel's Wedding, Moulin Rouge!, Red Dog, and The Dressmaker bear the unmistakable look and sensibility of Bilcock's visual inventiveness, but it was her brave editing choices in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo+Juliet that changed the look of cinema the world over, inspiring one Hollywood critic to dub her editing style as that of a "Russian serial killer on crack". With a back-story as colourful and surprising as her films, and featuring commentary from Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Shekhar Kapur, Phillip Noyce and Fred Schepisi, this documentary is a wonderful insight into the art of film editing and the profound impact it has on storytelling.

Jill Bilcock has always embraced creativity and adventure, both in her life and in her work, and this has led her to become one of the world's most sought-after film editors. While millions of people have been moved by her craft, she remains relatively unknown.

Jill's life began in a suburban home in Melbourne. As the youngest of three children, she developed her independence at an early age, and when her mother encouraged her to attend Swinburne Technical College, at 15 she became the youngest student enrolled. Two years later, at 17, Jill enrolled in Australia's first film course at Swinburne and was later invited by film director Fred Schepisi (Evil Angels, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith) to join his company The Film House.

In the late 60s, filmmaking in Australia was almost non-existent. There was no local industry, and with cinemas preferring to screen international films, there was very little opportunity to see Australian films in cinema. In response to this environment, places like The Film House looked to the advertising sector which produced Australian content, with many of Australia's leading filmmakers turning their hands to the advertising industry as it was their only opportunity to express their creativity. It was here Jill began paving a successful and independent path as an editor of commercials, music films and narrative dramas.

In the mid 70s, Jill was offered a job editing in London, and decided to visit India on her way. Landing in Bombay, she was fascinated by the colours and vividness of the county's culture, and stayed for a year. When Jill finally arrived in London, her job was long gone and she returned to Australia, but all the things she did and saw during that year influenced her unique ability to observe and tell story.

While Jill is the editor behind many of Australia's favourite films (Strictly Ballroom, Muriel's Wedding, Moulin Rouge!, Red Dog, and The Dressmaker), her visual inventiveness is also in high demand internationally. Directors such as Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth, Will) and Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road To Perdition, Skyfall) continue to call on Jill's for her unique style and innovation, and she's been nominated for an Academy Award (Moulin Rouge! 2002), received four BAFTA Awards nominations and won the prestigious American Cinema Editors (ACE) award for Moulin Rouge!. In Australia she has been awarded Best Editing on no less than five feature films.

With a back-story as colourful and surprising as her films, and featuring commentary from Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Shekhar Kapur, Phil Noyce and Fred Schepisi, this documentary is a wonderful insight into Jill Bilcock's life, the art of editing and the profound impact she has had on storytelling.